Trash can holder



June 16, 1964 E. N. STANLEY 3,137,469

TRASH CAN HOLDER Filed June 1, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. EVERETT N. STANLEY ATTORNEY$ June 16, 1964 E. N. STANLEY TRASH CAN HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet ,2

Filed June 1, 1962 mm W L w u 5 N w u fi E vv E M W w n uih ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,137,469 TRASH CAN HOLDER Everett N. Stanley, P.0. Box 1148, Casper, Wyo; Filed June 1, 1962, Ser. No. 199,340

13 Claims. (Cl. 248-147) This invention relates to holders for trash cans and the like, and in particular, to a type having a captive can cover. The difliculties attending the use of trash cans are well recognized, especially in respect to their vulnerability to mischievous children, marauding animals and adverse weather conditions, which involves overturning, spillage, and loss of can covers, among other things. As a consequence, remedial proposals have been made from time to time, including fixed mountings for the receptacle, and an anchorage for the cover on the mounting, and it is a general object of the present invention to provide improvements in a device of this general nature.

A further object is to provide a mounting having an anchorage for the cover which permits opening and closing in a swinging movement. More particularly, it is an object to provide a device as aforesaid having spring means to bias the cover to closed and open position, alternatively. In still greater particular, it is an object to provide an alternative spring bias, as stated, which in volves an over-center, toggle action. Another object is to provide a swing mount for a cover, with end limits for the swing. A still further object is to provide a treadle means for the swing-controlling linkage. These and other ends, which will be readily apparent, are attained by the present invention, a preferred form of which is described in the following specification, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the holder or mount, with a trash can in place and the cover in closing position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through the swing linkage, taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is another sectional view through the linkage, taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, partly broken away, and showing the cover in the self-sustained, raised position, and

FIGURE 6 is a rear view of the parts shown in FIG- URE 5, as seen from the right of FIGURE 5.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, there is shown a concrete base, or emplacement 10, which is preferably formed with radially disposed arms, in the general shape of a Y, to avoid accumulation of debris, and to permit a hand purchase under the lower edge of the can. The arrangement, which could also be in T form is furthermore economical of material. Conveniently, the base sections will have upper flanges or lips 12, for easy spotting of the can 13, and for retaining it against sidewise movement. Although these are shown as arcuate, to conform to the shape of the can, this form. is not necessary, since the restriction needs only tobe.

applied at three suitable points.

An upright tube 14, secured by a pair of bolts 16, to the long leg 18 of the base, serves as a mount for the linkage carrying the can cover in its swinging movement. Thus, the upright carries a horizontal bar 20, extending on both sides, which is secured, as by welding, to a split sleeve 22, the latter secured in position on the upright by clamping action of a pair of bolts 24. In working position, the cross bar 20 is generally aligned radially of the base, within the area of leg 18 thereof, and at its outer end carries a pin 26, on which is pivotally mounted the outer end of a swinging arm 28, the inner end of which is secured by bolts 30 to a pair of angle brackets 32, fixed 3,137,469 Patented June 16, 1964 ice to the can cover 34 at its center. The outer end 35 of pin 26 is threaded, and receives a nut 38, which secures arm 28 on the pin. It will be seen that as arm 28 swings upwardly about pivot pin 26, the cover will be lifted, and will be replaced on the can when the arm swings downwardly. In case of a close-fitting can cover, some degree of side play in the attaching bolts 30 may be necessary, but in view of the length of arm 28, this is unlikely.

The lifting effort is imparted to the arm 28, by a push rod 40, acting along the line of upright 14, and with its upper end pivotally secured to swinging arm 28 by a pin 42. Thus, arm 20 being fixed, pin 26 is a fulcrum, and arm 28 is a third-class lever, with applied force at pin 42, and output at brackets 32 on the can cover. The pushing effort, for raising the cover, is imparted by a first-class lever 44, medially pivoted on a pin 46, carried by a split sleeve 48, secured in place on the upright by a clamping bolt 50, and one end of lever 44 being bored to receive the transversely bent, lower end 52 of rod 40, which serves as a pivot, and is secured by a cotter pin 54. It will be' seen that downward swing of the free end of lever 44 will. result in upward movement of the other end, swinging arm the push rod rises from the position shown in FIGURE 2, the link 56 swings counterclockwise about pin 59, and slides in sleeve 58, moving to a position where it is aligned with cross rod 20, and to positions beyond that position. The flat loop 60 not only serves to limit the swing of 'arm 28, but also to retain it against sidewise movement.

The spring bias is provided by a tension spring 62, one

end of which is secured to threaded end 35 of pin 26, and the other end to a laterally bent end tab 64 on the outer end of lever 56. Thus, when the parts are in the position shown in FIGURE 2, the linkage is so arranged that the spring tension urges the can cover downwards, and when arranged as in FIGURE 5, the pin 42 having passed over center, the spring tension acts to retain the cover in raised position. applied to urge the cover downward, and after pin 42 has passed downward over center, the spring assists the downward movement, and acts to keep the cover in closed position. In this position the cover not only closes the can, but also holds it against overturning. The tension on the spring may be selected so as to be proof against .the tampering efiorts of small children.

The split sleeves 22 and 48 make for adjustability in the system. However, it is possible to omit these, and secure the lever system directly-to the standard, in which case,

square tubing may be preferable.

While a certain preferred embodiment hasbeen shown and described, various modifications will be apparent, in

the light of this disclosure, and the invention should not cross bar, fixed to said upper sleeve and extending on both sides of said standard, a flat ring securedto one Forreplacing the cover, manual pressure is.

a 3 end of said cross bar, a second lever passing through said flt ring and having one of its ends pivoted to the other end of said cross bar and its other end secured to a can cover, a slide bushing rotatably mounted on said ring, a third lever slidably mounted in said bushing, and pivotally mounted at one end to said second lever, adjacent said standard, a tension spring with one end anchored to said other end of said cross bar, and its other end anchored to said third lever, beyond said bushing, and a push rod with one end pivoted to said second lever on a common axis with said third lever, and its other end pivoted one of its ends pivoted to the other end of said cross bar and its other end secured to a can cover, a slide bushing rotatably mounted on said ring, a third lever slidably mounted in said bushing, and pivotally mounted at one end to said second lever, adjacent said standard, a tension spring with one end anchored to said other end of said cross bar, and its other end anchored to said third lever, beyond said bushing, and a push rod with one end pivoted to said second lever on a common axis with said third lever, and its other end pivoted to one end of said first lever.

3. A mount for trash cans and the like, comprising a base, a standard fixed to said base, a lower sleeve secured to said standard, a first lever, pivotally attached, medially of its length to said sleeve, an upper sleeve secured to said standard, a horizontal cross bar, fixed to said upper sleeve and extending on both sides of said standard, a flat ring secured to one end of said cross bar, a second lever passing through said flat ring and having one of its ends pivoted to the other end of said cross bar and its other end secured to a can cover, a slide bushing rotatably mounted on said ring, a third lever slidably mounted in said bushing, and pivotally mounted at one end to said second lever, adjacent said standard, a tension spring with one end anchored to said other end of said cross bar, and its other end anchored to said third lever, beyond said bushing, and a push rod with one end pivoted to said second lever on a common I axis with said third lever, and its other end pivoted to one end of said first lever.

4. A mount for trash cans and the like, comprising a base, a standard fixed to said base, a lower sleeve secured to said standard, a first lever, pivotally attached, medially of its length to said sleeve, an upper sleeve secured to said standard, a horizontal cross bar, fixed to said upper sleeve and extending on both sides of said standard, a fiat ring secured to one end of said cross bar, a second lever passing through said flatring-and having one of its ends pivoted to the other end of said cross bar and its other end adapted to be secured to a can cover, a slide bushing rotatably mounted on said ring, a third lever slidably mounted in said bushing, and pivotally mounted at one end to said second lever, adjacent said standard, a tension spring with one end anchored to said other end of said cross bar, and its other end anchored to said third lever, beyond said bushing, and a push rod with one end pivoted to said secondlever on a common axis with said third lever, and its other end pivoted to one end of said first lever.

5. A mount for trash cans'and the like, comprising a.

base, a standard fixed to said base, a lower sleeve secured to said standard, a first lever, pivotally attached, medially of its length to said sleeve, an upper, sleeve secured to said standard, a horizontal cross bar, fixed to said upper sleeve and extending on both sides of said standard, a flat ring secured to one end of said cross bar, a second lever passing through said flat ring and having one of its endspivoted to the other end of said cross bar and its other end adapted to be secured to a can cover, a slide bushing rotatably mounted on said ring, a third lever slidably mounted in said bushing, and'pivotallymounted at one end to said second lever, adjacent said standard, a tension spring with one end anchored 'to said other end of said cross bar, and its other end anchored to said third lever,

a second lever passing through said ring and having one of its ends pivoted to the other end of said cross bar, and its other endadapted to carry a can cover, a slide bushing rotatably mounted on said ring, a third lever slidably mounted in said bushing, and pivotally mounted at one end to said second lever, intermediate its length, a tension spring with one end anchored to said cross bar on one side of said standard, and its other end anchored to said third lever on the other side of said standard, and beyond said bushing, and a push rod with one end pivoted to said second lever, intermediate its length, and its other end pivoted to one end of said first lever.

7. A mount for trash cans and the like comprising a base, a standard fixed to said base, a first lever pivoted medially of its length to said standard, a cross bar carried by said standard, a second lever pivoted to one end of said cross bar, a third lever pivoted to said second lever, intermediate its length, and having a slide mounting at the other end of said cross bar, spring means urging said link toward said standard, and a push rod attached to one end of said first lever, and at an intermediate position on said second lever.

8. In a device as in claim 7, stop means carried by said a looped member in surrounding relation to said second lever.

10. A device as in claim 9, said slide mounting being rotatably mounted on said looped member.

IL A cover-handling device for use with trash cans and the like, comprising a standard, a pair of levers pivoted on said standard in spaced relation along its length, a push rod connecting said levers, a third lever pivoted to said second lever, spring means urging the outer end of said third lever toward said standard, and rotatable means carried by said standard, slidably mounting said third lever at a location laterally offset from said standard.

7 12. A cover-handling device for use with trash cans and the like, comprising a standard, a pair of levers pivotally carried by said standard in spaced relation along its length, and including a first, lower lever pivoted on the standard, and a second, upper leverpivoted at a point in spaced relation to the standard, a push rod connecting said levers, a third lever pivoted'to said second lever at a point in spaced relation to the pivot point thereof, and

spring means urging the outer part of said third lever] toward the said pivot point of said second lever.

13. A device as in claim 412, the ivot point of said 3,028,015 Williams Apr. 3, 1962 Kriz May 19, 1953 ,i 

12. A COVER-HANDLING DEVICE FOR USE WITH TRASH CANS AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A STANDARD, A PAIR OF LEVERS PIVOTALLY CARRIED BY SAID STANDARD IN SPACED RELATION ALONG ITS LENGTH, AND INCLUDING A FIRST, LOWER LEVER PIVOTED ON THE STANDARD, AND A SECOND, UPPER LEVER PIVOTED AT A POINT IN SPACED RELATION TO THE STANDARD, A PUSH ROD CONNECTING SAID LEVERS, A THIRD LEVER PIVOTED TO SAID SECOND LEVER AT A POINT IN SPACED RELATION TO THE PIVOT POINT THEREOF, AND SPRING MEANS URGING THE OUTER PART OF SAID THIRD LEVER TOWARD THE SAID PIVOT POINT OF SAID SECOND LEVER. 